The salary for this position is: $7,537 - $10,050 monthly.
This employment opportunity will remain open until filled. The Thurston County Commissioners Office reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time. To ensure consideration for this position, please submit your application as soon as possible. Initial application review date will be September 19th, 2025.
The Thurston County Commissioners Office is looking for a dynamic and driven professional to join our team as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Senior Program Manager. This role will be responsible for the development, management, and coordination of activities relating to the racial equity of Thurston County.
What this job is about:
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Senior Program Manager is responsible for the planning, design, implementation, and management of the DEIA Action Plan. This includes working on programs and initiatives; policy development; development of short- and long-range goals; business analysis; community planning and process facilitation; extensive work with elected officials, other agencies, and the public; program evaluation and providing progress reports to the Board of County Commissioners and regional stakeholders as required; and you will serve as an advocate for the public on racial equity issues relating to the appointed departments of county government. This position is also responsible for assisting the Human Resources Department to develop and implement a strategic framework that supports an internal County culture of equity, inclusiveness and engagement.
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to:
- Provides consultation and guidance to the County Manager and leads equity and inclusion projects as assigned by the County Manager in support of internal and external initiatives. Implements and/or manages existing programs that support both internal and external initiatives.
- Assists in providing support, communications and recommendations to County Commissioners, County Manager, and Racial Equity and Inclusion Council (REIC) regarding equity and inclusion related items and best practices.
- Assists the County Manager with anticipating, identifying and addressing short-term and long-term internal and external communication needs to support the County’s equity, and inclusion strategic initiatives.
- Works with the Human Resources Department to develop organizational training to enhance awareness for supervisors and managers on best practices for integrating equity and inclusion strategies into work culture, workforce strategies, recruitment, training, including performance management, leadership development, and retention strategies.
- Develops, presents and evaluates training programs to increase awareness, understanding and support of equity, inclusion and cultural proficiency in the organization.
- Assists the Human Resources Department with identifying and updating personnel rules to ensure alignment with equity and inclusion best practices.
- Provide support and guidance to County offices and departments on outreach, best practices, and strategies to conduct public outreach efforts to include and achieve participation from underrepresented members of the community.
- Develop and administer assessment tools, collect and analyze data, and provide periodic presentations or reports to the BoCC and the REIC that evaluate the progress and effectiveness of equity and inclusion initiatives.
- Perform outreach to the community, including hosting and/or attending special events, promoting civic engagement, community collaboration and building relationships.
- Advise the BoCC and REIC on meaningful policies to advance racial equity across county government for the benefit of the entire community.
- Collaborate with the community to establish alliances and secure adequate resources, including funding, to successfully accomplish the actions laid out in Thurston County Resolution No. 15995( Download PDF reader).
- Provide an ongoing comprehensive analysis of county and community activity to the BoCC to ensure decision making supports the County’s intension to address the root causes of disparities and distribute resources using equity and racial justice as primary factors for defining objectives and measuring progress.
To view the full job classification, click here: Senior Program Manager
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Environment: Quiet office settings in Olympia, Washington
- Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working 1 day a week
- Travel Requirements: Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences, and/or trainings
- Customer Interactions: Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public
WHO WE ARE:
Thurston County is a fast growing and dynamic organization that is at the exciting intersection and change and growth. As one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Washington, there are many opportunities to help shape the future. A recently increased County Board of Commissioners (from 3 to 5) along with a new County Manager are charting a course for the next decade by building a team to accomplish its goals. The creation of a Racial Equity Council and the opportunity to work collaboratively with departments is part of this exciting new direction.
Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage
WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:
- Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
- Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plansfor more information.
- Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
- Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
- Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
- Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.
Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in a field closely related to the specific position. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
- Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience related to public program and policy development at a regional level, including experience working with elected officials.
- Demonstrated competence in the principles and practices of public policy development and administration. Must be able to demonstrate competency in supervising personnel involved in program implementation and in establishing and controlling budgets.
- Current Washington State Driver’s License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
- Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position.
- Depending upon the area of assignment, a specialized certification or accreditation may be required of the position.
DESIRED SKILLS:
- Master’s degree in Business Administration or field closely related to specific position.
- Extensive knowledge of current principles and practices relating to planning, public policy development and implementation of programs related to the specific position being advertised for which occur at a regional level. Knowledge of Federal, State and local policies and regulations pertaining to the specific position being advertised for.
- Ability to create innovative programs and projects in response to community needs.
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial public policy issues or service.
- Strong business leadership and management skills. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Strong project management, organizational and prioritization skills.
- Strong critical thinking skills focused on identifying organizational challenges and opportunities, along with the ability to implement appropriate solutions.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with elected officials, staff, and the community.
- Ability to quickly assess problems and act to positively resolve conflicts and coordinate efforts to the satisfaction of consultants, contractors and the public.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulations and laws to complex issues.
Respect and Organizational Culture
- Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
- Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
- Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment
Communication
- Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
- Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
- Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
- Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors
Goal Setting and Accomplishment
- Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
- Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
- Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
- Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
- Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change
OTHER POSITION RELATED INFORMATION:
Questions regarding this opportunity? Please contact Olivia Studebaker, Executive Assistant at 360.786.5441
This Position is:
- Not represented by a Union
- Not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- At-Will and serves at the pleasure of the County Manager
- Eligible for benefits
Items Required for Consideration:
- Application
- Letter of Interest
- Resume
Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.
THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.
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